Chapter Thirty-One: Before Us Lie the Stars and the Sea

After leaving the beach, Du Yu and his companion loaded the fish they had harvested over the past few days onto their van and sped toward the city.

Upon arriving at the shop, they met Ma Yue, who was busy supervising the work. She was delighted to see Du Yu.

"Brother Yu, here is your share of the earnings from our partnership with the City Hotel. Your cut for the first phase is 400 yuan!" Ma Yue said, handing Du Yu a bank card. "I specifically went to the bank to open this account for you, so your future shares will be deposited here. Oh, and here is your card, Xiao Wei. There’s 150 yuan in it for you, too!"

Ma Yue was always incredibly thoughtful and thorough.

"Thank you for your hard work, Xiao Yue. Xiao Wei and I might be heading out for a trip in the coming days, so I’ll have to trouble you to look after the shop while we’re gone," Du Yu said earnestly.

"Don't worry, Brother Yu. I will!" Although she was a bit curious, Ma Yue didn't press for details and simply nodded with a serious expression.

After exchanging a few pleasantries and dropping off the fresh catch, the two men left. Du Yu headed to the City Hotel to deliver the remaining fish to Han Xinyi and to inquire about the current market for tuna.

They parked in front of the hotel, and after Du Yu made a phone call, he was greeted by the still-charming Han Xinyi. She remained as sharp and intellectual as ever, possessing a very unique aura.

"Du Yu, what brings you here?" Han Xinyi looked surprised, her eyes sparkling.

"What, am I not allowed to visit? I’m just here to deliver the last batch of cargo," Du Yu teased the woman, who was slightly older than him.

Han Xinyi’s face turned visibly red. Beside them, Wang Xiaowei watched the scene, eyes wide. *Wait... why does this look so familiar? How come Manager Han looks just like Sister Yueyue? Blushing the moment he says something?*

Du Yu, naturally, remained oblivious. After having the hotel staff move the cargo to the storage room, he got down to business. "Sister Han, I actually had something else I wanted to ask you while I was here."

"Oh? Is there something you don't know that you need to ask me about?" Han Xinyi teased back playfully. Wang Xiaowei, standing nearby, silently returned to the van to take a large gulp of his traditional Chinese medicine—a drink he now kept on hand at all times.

"It’s like this, Sister Han: how is the market for tuna right now?"

"Tuna? It’s always in high demand! Common tuna goes for 200 yuan per jin, and the most expensive, Bluefin tuna, can sell for up to 1,500 yuan per jin! Though, at the moment, it’s a situation of having a price but no stock." As soon as they turned to professional matters, Han Xinyi’s demeanor shifted to match Ma Yue’s, radiating a sense of competence and efficiency.

"I see... and what if I were able to procure some tuna?"

"What? Du Yu, don't joke with me. Along our southeast coast, there aren't any tuna to be found. Besides the one you brought last time, I haven't seen another one!" Han Xinyi interrupted.

Du Yu didn't dwell on it. Now that he knew the market conditions and had delivered the goods, it was time to head home. "Understood. Thank you, Sister Han. We’ll be heading back now. Goodbye!"

"Wait, Du Yu, aren't you going to stay for a quick meal before you go?" Her voice was so quiet she could barely hear it herself, and naturally, Du Yu didn't catch it. She watched the direction in which he left, lost in thought, and murmured, "Sigh, this little guy..."

It was noon by the time they returned to the village. After parting ways with Wang Xiaowei, Du Yu hurried home. His system notifications were flooding the screen!

"Host detected..."
"Detection..."
...
The notifications had reached 99+. Du Yu scratched his head; this looked familiar! Without overthinking it, he opened the system interface.

[Host: Du Yu]
[Luck Value: 990]

That was quite a lot! In just one morning, his luck had increased by over 400. The old saying was right: one really must mobilize the power of the masses! Du Yu was convinced.

He checked his [Fishing Boat].
[Owner: Du Yu]
[Current Displacement: 10 tons]
[Maximum Load: 1,000 kg]
[Energy System Unlocked: High-Efficiency Diesel Engine, 200 Luck spent]
[Storage System Unlocked: MAX Water Tank, 200 Luck spent]
[Propulsion Module Unlocked: Super Turbocharger, 200 Luck spent]
[Navigation Module Unlocked: Auto-Cruise System, 200 Luck spent]

After spending a whopping 800 Luck points, Du Yu finally gave his boat basic sailing capabilities. As for the high-pressure water cannon system, he would have to wait for the next wave of Luck.

Du Yu couldn't help but wonder what it would look like to have such a small diesel engine inside such a large hull. As for threats, with the impending high-pressure water cannon and his current "Menacing Presence" (3/5) status, ordinary sharks were no longer a threat to him.

For the next few days, Du Yu took Wang Xiaowei fishing by day and taught him water-based combat techniques by night. He also went to the supermarket and bought a mountain of fresh water and compressed biscuits. This left Wang Xiaowei completely bewildered. *Is Brother Yu planning to start a war with someone? Why is he being so serious?*

On the third day, Du Yu checked the system again.
[Host: Du Yu]
[Luck Value: 2,000]

Perfect, that was more than enough! He opened the boat’s attributes:
[Fishing Boat]
[Owner: Du Yu]
[Current Displacement: 10 tons]
[Maximum Load: 1,000 kg]
[High-Pressure Water Cannon Unlocked: 500 Luck spent]
[Current Modules: 1. Energy: High-Efficiency Diesel Engine; 2. Weaponry: High-Pressure Water Cannon; 3. Storage: MAX Water Tank; 4. Navigation: Auto-Cruise System; 5. Propulsion: Super Turbocharger]
[Maximum Speed: 30 knots]

Finally, Du Yu exchanged his remaining points for a [Wearable Water Surface Suspension Device].

Everything was ready! Tomorrow, their horizon would be the stars and the sea!

Then, Du Yu scratched his head. *Wait a minute, how the hell am I supposed to get my boat from the fish pond to the ocean? The pond is right in front of my house!*